Creative ReUse Idea: Water Bottle Tops to Seal Bags

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Tired of using twisty-ties and rubber-bands to keep your bags closed and not keeping them air-tight?  What about keeping them waterproof?  As much as we try to stay away from plastic water bottles, they are still everywhere and we are seeing some very creative ReUse ideas that can give them a much longer life.  Recently we came across the idea to use the tops of water bottles to seal bags that actually works wonderfully and super easy.  Since it seems that grocery prices are skyrocketing, who wouldn’t want to keep their food fresh and longer lasting?

 Here is how to do it:

• Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in the photo.
• Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top to seal.
• The bag is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak, the secret lies with the top and screw cap! 

Related Posts:

Charitable ReUse Solutions for Surplus Property, Tell a Friend

ReUsing Ceramic Dishes

7 Ways to ReUse Wine Bottles

Charitable ReUse Solutions for Surplus Property, Tell a Friend!

June is the time of year when government budgets reset. Many projects are executed during the summer months. These projects might have surplus property that could be sent to landfill if not given a chance for a second life.

We are asking for your help in addressing this now, so we can help provide charitable reuse solutions for those who need it.  Most people want to do the right thing and we are here to help.

• Do you know someone works in local government? 
• Do you know someone who provides a service or sells a product to someone in local government who can refer us? 
• Do you know any contractors that work on schools, municipalities, universities, etc? Now is the time to reach out to them.

We have representatives throughout California who are available to articulate our charitable reuse solutions and the humanitarian benefits associated with it.  Please let us know how we can help you help your community.

We hope you'll tell a friend about DRN's Charitable ReUse solutions.  Thank you.

Could One Man’s Trash be Another Man’s House?

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Of course it could!  At Deconstruction & ReUse Network, we truly enjoy seeing how reclaimed building materials and items some people may refer to as “junk” can be transformed and ReUsed.  National Geographic has an excellent documentary that illustrates the ScrapHouse project in San Francisco.  ScrapHouse was created as a challenge to construct a house using only scrap and salvaged materials.  The entire project involved really thinking outside the norm when it comes to salvaged building materials and “junk” that would otherwise end up in our landfills.  According to the documentary, 24 million new homes are built each year and 200,000 buildings are torn down.  That is pretty alarming, especially knowing that a majority of the materials left from demolition don’t get ReUsed or any second chance.  It is our hope at DRN that one day the method of careful dismantling and reclaiming of a structure's reusable, finished materials and rough lumber will not be out of the norm, rather second nature in the building and construction world.

Here's the documentary:

What Could you do with a 330 sq ft Apartment?

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

The thought of living in an apartment that is only 330 sq ft probably doesn’t appeal to most people, especially when the motto “bigger is better” is coined more often than not.  For architect Gary Chang, however, an apartment that small has the possibility to become not one, but twenty-four different rooms and be an enjoyable place to live.   Chang’s vision is not only inspiring, but also an excellent example of how innovative design can be ultra-functional and eco-friendly… all within 330 sq ft!  Check out the full article here.

ReUsing Ceramic Dishes

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Did you know that ceramic dishes have some great ways they could be ReUsed and can be kept out of the landfill, even if they are broken?  Below are some fun ReUse ideas….

ReUse for broken dishes:


1. Place them at the bottom of flowerpots to create better water drainage.
2. Turn broken pieces into a mosaic that is sure to be unique and fabulous.
3. Glue pieces to picture frames or other flowerpots to spruce them up.
4.   If they are not sharp, write on them and turn them into plant markers or dinner place cards.

ReUse for non-broken dishes:
1. Use cups or bowls as flowerpots.
2. Organize toiletries such as cotton swabs, band-aids, and cotton balls in the bathroom
3. Keep jewelry sorted and kept together. 
4. Hang plates on a wall to add some flair to your decor. (Many websites show you how to do this!)
5.  If you have no other uses, donate them!  Someone else may find other ReUse ideas for them!


Do you have more uses for old dishes?  Please share them here in the comments.


Related Posts:
Clever Reuse: Placemats
7 Ways to Reuse Wine Bottles
Garbage City